"Alerted.org

Summary This position functions as full partner to the Chief, Pharmacy Service and in the absence of the Chief assumes responsibility for all Pharmacy service programs. The Associate Chief, Pharmacy Service will work within the Department of Pharmacy at the Syracuse VA Medical Center and organizationally reports directly to the Chief of Pharmacy. Responsibilities VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn\_ickNBEws Major Duties: Program Management The Associate Chief of Pharmacy Service has the prime responsibility for providing leadership, direction and oversight of pharmacy operations within the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy and for the professional and administrative activities supporting these services. Responsible for assuring all aspects of drug control, drug accountability and drug security are maximized and are in accordance with the Syracuse VA Medical Center & Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, and other applicable VA, FDA and Federal regulations. Provides oversight of Controlled Substance Management program within the Syracuse VA Medical Center in conjunction with the Chief, Pharmacy Service. Establishes and updates policies and procedures to assure the timely, accurate distribution of medications and medical supplies to outpatients, inpatients, and residents in the Community Living Center (CLC). These must comply with federal and state laws, the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and requirements of systematic review programs. Administrative/ Supervision Directly supervises the Inventory Management Program Manager, Compounded Sterile Preparation Program Manager and Procurement Technician positions. Assures that personnel are scheduled in such a way as to provide consistency of coverage and to accommodate planned leave and promote employee morale. Periodically analyzes work measurement data. Develops and documents employee performance. Evaluates work performance of employees under his/her supervision. Provides disciplinary action when necessary. Resolves employee conflicts and complaints. Promotes pleasant work environment. Rewards exemplary performance. Recruits, interviews and selects suitable personnel, in collaboration with Chief, Pharmacy Service and Human Resources, in order to maintain a staff that can effectively fulfill the needs of the Pharmacy Service. Recommends individuals for appointment, promotion and reassignment involving such positions. Emergency Pharmacy Cache Program Management Maintain cache inventory, rotating stock as provided by Emergency Pharmacy Services (EPS), utilizing locally as able and disposing of outdated product via reverse distribution or disposal. Update expiration dates of stock as provided by EPS vial Shelf Life Extension Project labels (SLEP) Complete yearly cache area physical inspection and wall to wall inventory. Provide training of staff on use of emergency pharmacy cache policies & procedures Education Ensures orientation and training programs are established to ensure staff competency. Collaborates with Chief, Pharmacy Service to promote learning experiences & staff development that improve the proficiency and performance of all levels of pharmacy personnel. Provide oversight to affiliated training programs for pharmacy students, fellows, clerks, and interns. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00009-F Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: Graduate of an accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education accredited College or School of Pharmacy with a baccalaureate degree in pharmacy and/or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Licensure: Full, current and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia. The pharmacist must maintain current registration if this is a requirement for maintaining full, current, and unrestricted licensure. A pharmacist who has, or has ever had, an license(s)revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section B, paragraph 16. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-14 Experience. In addition to the GS-13 requirements, must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Pharmacists assigned to this position must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Skill in persuading others and gaining cooperation to accomplish goals. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing regarding complex clinical and technical issues. Skill in utilizing regulatory and quality standards to develop and implement operational programs. Skill in managing multiple and diverse people or programs. Skill in utilizing available resources to support the mission and goals of the organization. Ability to plan, organize and direct the functions of the pharmacy staff. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G15. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS14. Physical Requirements: The work involves prolonged periods of standing with some walking of generally short distances. There may be occasional lifting of weights up to 30 lbs. There may be mental fatigue due to repetitive screening and interpretation of medication orders. Light carrying (under 15 lbs.), Reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required; walking (up to 4 hrs.), standing (up to 4 hrs.),both legs required, both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.